Washing machine with a flexible washing compartment having one or more stain removal zone(s)

ABSTRACT

Washing machine ( 1 ) for the washing of laundry such as clothes and textiles, which washing machine comprises a housing, open frame ( 1   a ), wherein the housing ( 1   a ) comprises: an inlet ( 4 ), for supplying washing water, an outlet ( 5 ), for disposal of washing water, a pump ( 6 ), for pumping the washing water and air, that the housing ( 1   a ) comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of washing drawers ( 2 ), each washing drawer ( 2 ) having a pair of conduits ( 4   a,    5   a ) for fluid tight connection of a respective flexible washing compartment( 10 ) for washing laundry (L) and arranged in the washing drawer ( 2 ), wherein each drawer ( 2 ) of the housing ( 1   a ) is arranged to lead water from the inlet ( 4 ) of the housing ( 1   a ) via conduit ( 4   a ) to the respective washing compartment( 10 ) arranged therein and, by means of the pump ( 6 ) and conduit ( 5   a ), to pump air and water out from the respective flexible washing compartment( 10 ) in order to create a pressure difference inside the washing compartment ( 10 ) with respect to the surrounding pressure and by that emptying the flexible washing compartment( 10 ) of washing water and air, wherein the one or more flexible washing compartment ( 10 ) each also comprises one or more stain-removal zone(s) (Z), in which at least one stain-removal zone (Z), a flow of water is arranged to be increased compared to other zones of the one or more flexible washing compartment ( 10 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a washing machine and in particular to awashing machine in which the laundry is washed inside an especiallyadapted flexible washing device that is arranged in a fluid tight manneron the washing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stain removal of laundry is often a trouble-some task, and some stainscannot easily be removed in a conventional washing machine of today.Therefore, typically, some kind of pre-treatment for stain-removal ofthe laundry before washing of the same in the washing machine is oftenrequired.

As an example, a pre-treatment of the laundry's fabric with a so-called“stain remover” is required. As another example, pre-treatment withsoaking the laundry in water is required alone or in addition to usingthe stain-remover.

Some stain removers may typically bleach the fabric. A typical exampleis chlorine bleach, which is not safe for the fabric and hazardous tothe environment.

Thus, stain-removal in addition to being time-consuming, is often notsafe for the fabric or hazardous to the environment

Today, there are known sensor controlled washing machines for stainremoval. Complicated and expensive sensor technology controls thewashing machine such that more (stain removal) or dirty laundry or lessintense (no stain removal) washing is provided. Typically, the rotatingdrum's movement is controlled. Typically, the whole laundry is washed,not just a stained part thereof. This may cause unnecessary wear to thelaundry not requiring stain removal.

Based on the above knowledge and related problems, it is a need to finda solution to the problems with stain-removal.

PRIOR ART

A conventional washing machine washes laundry, such as clothes, bywetting them, de-moisturizing them, wetting them again etc. until thelaundry is clean. In order to accomplish this laundering conventionalwashing machines typically comprise a cylindrical drum in which thelaundry may be alternately soaked and dried without having to betransferred between different chambers.

A less conventional washing machine without a conventional cylindricaldrum is described in EP-B1-2 633 113.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a washing machine without aconventional cylindrical drum that washes also stained laundry in asatisfying manner without the use of pre-treatment for stain-removal.

The invention relates to a washing machine that comprises housing, or anopen frame, and having an inlet and outlet for water, and at least onepump. In contrast to conventional washing machines, the laundry iswashed in at least one, or a plurality of flexible washing compartmentsarranged stacked onto each other, or side-to-side to each other, insidethe housing, or the frame, of the washing machine. The flexible washingcompartment(s) typically comprises one flexible and a hard plate, oralternatively two flexible membranes together making up a washingcompartment, or is provided as a washing compartment. The plurality offlexible washing compartments is provided adjacent to each other in aplurality of drawers. The flexible washing compartments are eachprovided in the drawers by means of a respective suitable fluid tightconnection for inlet and outlet of water and air. One or more of theflexible washing compartments also comprises one or more stain-removalzone(s), in which at least one stain-removal zone, a flow of water isarranged to be increased compared to other zones of the washingcompartment. The increased flow of water in the one or more stainremoval zone(s) has the effect that stains are removed in the washingcompartment by the washing machine alone.

A washing detergent may be provided directly to the washing compartmentor via a separate compartment in the washing machine to be distributedinto the washing compartment together with the water. After that thewater has been added to the washing compartment the pump is activated.

Firstly the pump is used to suck air from the washing compartment toreduce the volume of the washing compartment, whereby the laundry iscompressed and soaked in water. Gradually the water is sucked out, andthe same water may be returned for instance via a filter to a reservoirprovided in the washing machine to the washing compartment a couple oftimes before the water is exchanged and the cycle is repeated onceagain.

Specifically, the invention relates to a washing machine for the washingof laundry such as fabric, clothes and textiles. The washing machine hasmeans, in particular zones, for stain-removal. An advantage of the atleast one stain-removal zone having increased flow of water is that notime-consuming and/or hazardous pre-treatment will be required beforewashing in the washing machine. Washing is hence increased locally ineach stain removal zone.

An advantage compared to conventional washing machines is that the wholecontent of the laundry must be washed even if only part of the contentof the laundry is stained. This is because one does not know where inrelation to the rotating drum the stains are located. In the inventivewashing machine, the laundry is always on the same location but only thewater is flowing (moving). This implies that the satins are located inparticular local areas and by preparing these local areas having ahigher flow of water, higher degree of detergent or other extratreatment, it is possible to optimize the washing such that only partsof the laundry is subject to extra treatment, whereas the other parts ofthe content of the laundry is subject to a gentle treatment. Thisimplies less wear, less micro-fiber, less use chemicals, and less energyrequired.

According to one embodiment the increased flow of water is arranged tobe continuously through-flowing through the at least one stain removalzone.

According to another embodiment the increased flow of water isoscillating.

Typically the stain removal zones are arranged in a set of stain removalzones. A particular set is then typically adapted for a particularwashing compartment.

An advantage is that a several different type of laundry can be washedat the same time in the different washing compartments; also having aplurality of different sets of stain-removal zones in case of aplurality of drawers. In this way,

Further advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detaileddescription and the dependent claims.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a shows, in a perspective view, an embodiment of a washing machinecomprising a housing with a plurality of washing drawers each drawercomprising a flexible washing compartment embodied having a set of stainremoval zones, FIG. 1b shows yet an alternative embodiment of a washingmachine having a plurality of drawers arranged side-by-side, and FIG. 1cshows an alternative embodiment of a washing machine comprising onedrawer combined with a conventional washing machine having a perforatedmetal washing drum.

FIG. 2a shows 2b shows, in a view from above, a washing compartmentembodied as a flexible bag having a set of stain removal zones.

FIG. 2b shows, in a perspective view from above, a flexible washingcompartment embodied as a flexible bag having a set of stain removalzones. The flexible washing compartment can be arranged in a drawer asillustrated in FIG. 3 (to which is later referred).

FIG. 2b shows, in a perspective view from the side, a flat flexiblewashing compartment filled with a particular type of laundry, herein apair of trousers,

FIG. 2c shows, in a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2b , aset of stain removal zones having increased flow of water, wherein wateris oscillating,

FIG. 2d shows, in a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2b , aset of stain removal zones having increased flow of water, wherein thewater is continuously through-flowing through the at least one stainremoval zone; and

FIG. 3 shows, in a perspective view, a washing drawer, having a washingcompartment of membrane type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the washing machine according the invention isshown in FIG. 1a . In this figure, the components of the washing machineare only schematically shown, but will be shown in more detail in FIGS.2-3. The washing machine 1 is suitable for the washing of several typesof laundry such as clothes and textiles at the same time or in anydesired manner. In such an embodiment it is suitable that the user hasseveral sets of stain removal zones, e.g. one first set for one type oflaundry such as a pair of trousers having one type of stain removalzones Z for instance at knees and pockets etc., one second set forshirts having another type of stain removal zones Z, such as atarm-ends, neck etc.

FIG. 1a shows, in a perspective view, an embodiment of a washing machinecomprising a housing with a plurality of washing drawers, FIG. 1b showsyet an alternative embodiment of a washing machine having a plurality ofdrawers arranged side-by-side, and FIG. 1c shows an alternativeembodiment of a washing machine comprising one drawer combined with aconventional washing machine having a perforated metal washing drum, Thehousing may alternatively be embodied as an frame in all embodimentswithout departing from the invention.

Now is referred to FIG. 1 a.

The washing machine shown in FIG. 1a comprises a housing 1 a. Thehousing 1 a comprises a plurality of drawers 2 provided as a set ofwashing drawers 2 stacked onto each other in the housing 1 a, eachdrawer 2 comprising a respective flexible washing compartment 10 havingone or more stain removal zone(s) Z (schematically shown in the mostupper drawer), such as an essentially flat washing compartment 10 havinga zipper, or other water and air-tight closable seal, or comprising apair of flexible membranes (not shown in FIG. 1a ), for washing laundryand arranged in the washing drawer 2 such that the one or morestain-removal zones) is/are located properly and adapted to locallytreat stained areas of the laundry.

Alternatively, a hard openable frame having a water- and/or air-tightseal can be provided instead of the zipper.

The washing machine 1 comprises an inlet 4, for supplying clean washingwater and an outlet 5, for disposal of used washing water. The washingmachine 1 further comprises one or more pump(s) 6, in order to pump theused washing water out of the washing compartment. In order to supplyclean water via the inlet 4 no pump is normally needed because the waterwill be provided from a pressurized and closed water system such as apublic water supply system. Each washing compartment 10 in each drawer 2is connected to a pair of conduits 4 a, 5 a arranged to lead water fromthe inlet 4 of via a conduit 4 a to the respective washing compartment10 arranged in each drawer 2 and to lead air and water away from thewashing compartment 10 via a conduit 5 a, by means of the pump 6. Thepair of conduits 4 a, 5 a from each washing compartment 10 in eachdrawer 2 can be combined into one inlet 4 and outlet 5 for all washingcompartments 10. The conduit 5 a may also be connected to a reservoir 7(schematically shown) inside the washing machine 1 for receiving usedwashing water and re-circulating the washing water one or more timesback to the washing compartment 10.

The pump 6 is utilized to create a pressure difference between thewashing compartment 10 and its surroundings (in the drawer 2), typicallya negative pressure, normally referred to as vacuum in the washingcompartment 10 and atmospheric pressure in the drawer 2.

According to another embodiment, it is alternatively possible to arrangethe washing compartments 10 side-by-side as shown in FIG. 1 b.

Alternatively, to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a , which comprises aplurality of drawers, it is possible to just have one drawer 2,potentially in combination with a conventional washing machine as shownin FIG. 1c , but not limited thereto. Alternative embodiments,combinations of one or more drawer(s) 2 with a conventional washingmachine having a perforated metal washing drum at any side of theconventional washing machine are also possible without departing fromthe invention. A side-by-side combination may be an advantage forinstance for washing shirts hanging.

Now is referred to FIG. 2a , which in a view from above shows a flexiblewashing compartment 10 embodied as a flexible bag having a openable andclosable seal 13, or is alternatively arranged in an openable/closableair and water-tight frame (not shown), for opening and closing thewashing compartment 10. The flexible washing compartment 10 may be madeof any fluid-tight suitable material such as plastics and may betransparent such that a user easily can see if the washing compartmentis empty or not. In FIG. 2a , the washing compartment 10 is a flattransparent bag, shown filled with laundry 11, herein exemplified as apair of trousers arranged in a flat manner in the flexible washingcompartment 10.

According to aspect, but not limited thereto, the laundry 11 is wettedin a longitudinal direction (schematically shown) when the pump isturned on.

It is an advantage that the laundry 11 can be arranged flat in thatironing can be avoided and some sensitive laundry may benefit from beingwashed flatly and without the laundry moving inside the washingcompartment 10, thereby avoiding wearing of the laundry 11 against thewalls of the washing compartment 10 as is typically the case in aconventional washing machine having a rotation perforated metal druminside which the laundry wears against the drum. Stain removal in such aconventional washing machine implies that the whole laundry 11 is alwayswashed, even no-stained parts. This provides unnecessary wear also tonon-stained parts (not in stain removal zones Z not requiring increasedflow of water.

The washing compartment 10 is connected to a pair of conduits 4 a, 5 a,which are schematically shown only. Typically, the washing compartment10 is permanently fixed into the drawer 2 and permanently connected tothe conduits 4 a, 5 a.

Now is also in addition to FIG. 2a referred to FIG. 2 b.

FIG. 2b shows in a perspective view from the side, a flat flexiblewashing compartment 10 filled with a particular type of laundry 11,herein a pair of trousers,

A means 12 for providing a set of stain removal zones Z is provided onthe laundry 11. The means 12 can be a solid flat screen member forinstance made of plastics having through going holes providing the stainremoval zones Z through which an increased flow of water can flow whenthe pump 6 is turned on. The screen member 12 may vary/look differentproviding a particular set of stain removal zones for particular laundry11. The open stain removal zones Z provides increased flow of waterthrough the laundry 11 and thereby removes stains locally andefficiently in particular areas of the 11 without negatively alsowashing other parts of the laundry not requiring stain-removal. This isschematically marked as in this FIG. 2a . This embodiment is suitablefor removing stains from particular areas of the laundry 11 such as onthe knees on a pair of trousers (or other parts of the laundry 11 knownto be more stained than other parts known to be less stained. Anadvantage with the inventive solution is that it is simple and easycompared to today's known complicated and expensive sensor solutions.

FIG. 2d shows, in a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2b , aset 12 of stain removal zones Z having increased flow of water, whereinwater is oscillating (shown schematically by double-headed arrows),flowing through the stain removal zones Z.

FIG. 2c shows, in a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2b , aset 12 of stain removal zones Z having increased flow of water, whereinthe water is continuously through-flowing through the stain removalzones Z.

Now is referred to FIG. 3, which shows, in a perspective view, a washingdrawer 2 having a pair of conduits 4 a, 5 a 4 a,5 a for fluid tightconnection of a respective flexible washing compartment 10 for washingstained laundry and being arranged in the washing drawer 2. The washingcompartment 10 having stain removal zones Z shown in this drawingcomprise of two flexible membranes, herein an upper 10 a, and a lowermembrane (not shown), which washing compartment 10 can be opened orclosed in a fluid-tight manner by moving the drawer 2 out from thehousing 1 a for opening, or into the housing 1 a for closing the washingcompartment 10. This can be achieved since, the membranes are mounted ina respective upper 10 aa, and lower 10 bb frame, of which the uppermembrane 10 a can be moved, opened or closed. According to variousembodiments, the washing compartment 10 may alternatively comprise oneor more membranes, such as one flexible membrane provided on a rigidplate. The upper frame having the upper membrane 10 a is arranged to beautomatically opened when the drawer 2 is pulled out. This can beprovided by having the frames 10 aa, 10 bb provided at a rail, wherein apressure roll is arranged to press the upper frame 10 aa having theupper membrane 10 a against the lower frame 10 bb having the lowermembrane against each other when the drawer is pushed in and releasingthe frames 10 aa, 10 bb to each other when the drawer is pulled out.Other mechanisms such as parallelograms, excenters, tracs, manual doorsetc. providing opening or closing the washing compartment are obviousfor the skilled person and the invention is by no means limited to thisparticular embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows the washing compartment 10 made of membranes and containinglaundry and comprising two membranes 10 a, 10 b.

An alternative embodiment of the flexible washing compartment 10 can bemade up of two flexible membranes 10 a, 10 b is shown with laundry 11inside. The two membranes 10 a, 10 b are arranged on a frame preventingthe washing compartment 10 to restrict across and along the frame, butstill providing flat compression due to the pressure difference betweenthe pressure inside the flexible compartment 10 and its surroundings inthe drawer 2, typically the pressure inside the flexible compartment isnegative pressure and the pressure outside the flexible compartment isatmospheric pressure or positive pressure providing a pressuredifference.

The washing machine may also include an additional drying unit in orderto dry the laundry by the supply of dry hot air in the flexible washingcompartment 10.

The washing machine 1 can operate as follows.

One or more of the flexible washing compartments 10 are opened andfilled with laundry 11. Subsequently, water is provided via the inlet 4,and/or the conduit 4 a to the flexible washing compartment(s) 10. Thewater is heated to a desired temp. The heating can be provided by meansof a conventional heater (not shown) arranged inside or outside thewashing machine 1. Then the air is sucked out of the flexible washingcompartment, followed by the water being sucked out.

A washing detergent may be provided directly into the washingcompartment or via a separate washing detergent compartment 2 a providedcentrally in the washing machine 1 or in the specific drawer 2 to bedistributed into the washing compartment 10 together with the water.After that the water has been provided to the washing compartment, thepump 6 is activated. Firstly the pump 6 is used to suck air from thewashing compartment, to minimize the volume that has to be wetted,whereby the laundry is compressed and soaked in water (See FIG. 2a ,where the wetting of the pair of trousers inside a washing compartment10 having a zipper 13 is indicated schematically by the marking“wetting”). Gradually the water is sucked out, and the same water may bereturned for instance via the reservoir 7 and filter(s) provided in thewashing machine to the washing compartment a couple of times before thewater is exchanged and the cycle is repeated once again.

An example of the operation of the invention according to variousembodiments will now be given. First, the laundry 11 is placed in awashing compartment 10 of any of the types described above and in adrawer 2 of the washing machine 1. In the shown embodiment, the laundry11 is placed in the washing compartment 10 inside the drawer 2. Then thewashing compartment 10 is closed. After these measures, first air issucked out, creating vacuum or under pressure in the fibers and/ortextiles of the laundry 11 then, clean washing water is supplied viainlet 4 to the washing compartment 10 replacing the under pressure, orvacuum and normalizing pressure and any air remaining in the washingcompartment 10 is pumped out via the pump 6 such that the laundry 11 issoaked and compressed by the walls of the washing compartment 10. Oncethe laundry 11 is soaked it is possible to pump out the washing waterfrom the washing compartment via the pump 6, wherein a certain negativepressure again is created in the washing compartment, and wherein thelaundry 11 is further compressed by the atmospheric pressure (oralternatively positive over-pressure) outside the bag. The washingbecomes efficient thanks to the combination of pressure towards thelaundry and the movement of the washing water and air bubbles, whichpenetrate in between the fibers of the laundry and deeply removeimpurities. Pressure differences acting on air bubbles influences theair bubbles to change in size, which implies that the air-bubbles on amicro-level “pump” the water back and forth inside the fibers. Air iselastic contrary to water, such that water is transferred when the airbubbles grow or shrink. If a micro-bubble is stuck inside a hollowfiber, the fiber will pump clean inside the fiber. At the lowestpressure, the air bubbles are as large as possible. Further, the laundrymay be kneaded by the walls of the washing compartment which increasesthe washing efficiency. Once the washing water has been re-circulatedvia filter a number of times, the water sucked out to the desireddegree, the rinsing water is supplied to the washing compartment. Thepurpose of the rinsing water is e.g. to perform a final cleaning of thelaundry and to remove any remainders of the washing detergent. Further,rinsing fluid and/or fabric softener, which softens and/or gives thelaundry a pleasant fragrance, may be supplied together with the rinsingwater. The rinsing water is removed from the washing machine in the samemanner as the washing water. Hence, any air that is left in the bag ispumped out such that the laundry is compressed and soaked, andsubsequently the rinsing water is pumped out from the washingcompartment, wherein a certain negative pressure is created in thewashing compartment, and wherein the laundry is compressed by theatmospheric pressure outside of the washing compartment. Preferably,electronic equipment of the washing machine comprises a control withwhich it is possible to control the dryness of the laundry. The drynessmay also be one of the parameters that are controlled by means ofdifferent washing programs, such that every washing program is connectedto a certain dryness, which naturally also may be the same for severaldifferent washing programs. Before the washing compartment is opened airshould be let in, in order to facilitate the opening of the bag.

Preferably, the washing machine 1 also comprises a heater unit withwhich the inlet water in inlet 4 may be heated to the desiredtemperature regardless of the inlet temperature.

The washing machine 1 could also include a small tank in which theheating unit may be arranged. The tank makes it possible to re-utilizethe washing water. Due to environmental friendly reasons it isadvantageous that the laundry is washed several times with the samewater, because it saves both water and heating energy. Further, thewashing efficiency is not drastically worsened because the same washingwater can be used several times, since the washing water very rarely issaturated in impurities. Hence, a prewash with a first water change isonly necessary when very dirty laundry is to be washed. A water exchangeshould however always be made for the rinsing of the laundry.

Parts of the inner walls of the washing compartment can be provided withfluid leading means such as concavities- and/or convexities in order forthe walls not to get stuck towards each other without letting water andair pass when a negative pressure of a certain magnitude has beencreated inside the washing compartment.

By creating islands of fluid leading surfaces surrounded by areaspreventing fluid motion, the maximum flow of water through the laundrycan be achieved. The washing effect is on the contrary achieved when thefluid flows through the laundry, preferably at the same time as they arekneaded by the walls as they are being sucked towards each other.

1. Washing machine for the washing of laundry such as clothes andtextiles, which washing machine comprises a housing, open frame, whereinthe housing comprises: an inlet, for supplying washing water, an outlet,for disposal of washing water, a pump, for pumping the washing water andair, that the housing comprises at least one, preferably a plurality ofwashing drawers, each washing drawer having a pair of conduits for fluidtight connection of a respective flexible washing compartment forwashing laundry and arranged in the washing drawer, wherein each drawerof the housing is arranged to lead water from the inlet of the housingvia conduit to the respective washing compartment arranged therein and,by means of the pump and conduit, to pump air and water out from therespective flexible washing compartment in order to create a pressuredifference inside the washing compartment with respect to thesurrounding pressure and by that emptying the flexible washingcompartment of washing water and air, wherein the one or more flexiblewashing compartment each also comprises one or more stain-removalzone(s), in which at least one stain-removal zone, a flow of water isarranged to be increased compared to other zones of the one or moreflexible washing compartment.
 2. The washing machine according to claim1, wherein the increased flow of water is arranged to be continuouslythrough the at least one stain removal zone.
 3. The washing machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the increased flow of water is arranged tobe oscillating flowing through the at least one stain removal zone. 4.The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the stain removalzones are arranged in a member for stain removal having a particular setof stain removal zones.
 5. The washing machine according to claim 4,wherein a particular set of stain removal zones is then typicallyadapted for a particular washing compartment.
 6. The washing machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the member is an essentially flat plate.7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the member is madeof plastics.